NOAA: Lolita Now Covered Under Endangered Species Act

MIAMI (CBSMiami) – Groups who want to free Lolita, the Miami Seaquarium’s lone killer whale, are claiming a victory after the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s (NOAA) Marine Fisheries Services decided to include her under the Endangered Species Act.

This means she will now be considered endangered like her wild counterparts, but NOAA said this does not change Lolita’s care in captivity.

“This is not a decision to free Lolita,” said a NOAA official during a conference call on Wednesday.

“She’s not prepared to be released,” Miami Seaquarium curator Robert Rose , said “She’d die, without question.”

The Miami Seaquarium released a statement following decision saying Lolita will remain at the park.

“Lolita has been part of the Miami Seaquarium family for 44 years. Just because she was listed as part of the Endangered Species Act does not mean that she is going anywhere,” said Andrew Hertz, General…